4Simplified outline of this instrument

4 Simplified outline of this instrument

Part 2 prescribes a mandatory industry code for supplying electricity to small customers (i.e. most residential customers and small business customers: see section 6).

Under the code:

(a) standing offer prices must be set such that, were a small customer to be supplied in a financial year at those prices with the amount of electricity determined by the AER for the financial year under Part 3 (the model annual usage), the total amount the customer would have to pay for the supply would not exceed the price determined by the AER under that Part (the reference price) (see section 10); and

(b) small customers must be told how prices for supplying electricity compare with the reference price (see section 12); and

(c) an advertisement for supplying electricity to small customers must not have a discount as its most conspicuous price‑related matter, and must state any conditions on discounts clearly (see section 14).

Under Part 3, the AER determines a model annual usage and reference price in relation to each distribution region and each type of small customer.

This instrument does not apply in relation to supplying electricity in:

(a) small distribution regions; or

(b) distribution regions where standing offer prices are set under a State or Territory law.

(See section 8).